Heather Burns and Meghan L. Hall, USA TODAY Tue, October 20, 2026 at 9:38 PM UTC · 3 min read About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Enes Kanter Freedom plans to attend Game 3 of the WNBA Finals between the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries at State Farm in Atlanta, he said on social media on Monday, Oct. 19. He then doubled down on his intentions on Tuesday, Oct. 20.
The Atlanta Dream and WNBA both declined comment on Kanter Freedom's planned attendance.
Golden State Valkyries forward Gabby Williams , who has led her team in scoring in the postseason, expressed support for transgender athletes in women's sports this season , saying she would "welcome a trans athlete on my team or against my team, anytime. I don't think it's a problem in the world. It's just another way to kind of attack trans people."
Kanter Freedom, a former 11-season NBA vet, has been outspoken about the trans athlete debate surrounding the WNBA , declaring himself eligible for the 2027 league draft on social media on Aug. 7, saying he identifies as a woman."As you all know, this all started with an interview featuring Gabby Williams of the Golden State Valkyries, when she said, I have no problem with trans athletes playing on my team or against my team," Freedom said in a video confirming he would be in Atlanta for the Finals. "Her words gave me so much hope and motivation to come out as a woman and officially declare for the WNBA draft. I can't wait to watch my favorite player, the woman who inspired me to become who I am today!"
Veronica Burton #22 of the Golden State Valkyries reacts during the first quarter in game two of the WNBA Finals against the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center on Oct.19, 2026 in San Francisco, Calif. (Ezra Shaw, Getty Images) Veronica Burton #22 of the Golden State Valkyries dribbles against Jordin Canada #3 of the Atlanta Dream during the first quarter in game two of the WNBA Finals at Chase Center on Oct.19, 2026 in San Francisco, Calif. (Ezra Shaw, Getty Images) Kayla Thornton #5 of the Golden State Valkyries reacts with Cecilia Zandalasini #24 during the first quarter in game two of the WNBA Finals against the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center. (Ezra Shaw, Getty Images) Kiah Stokes #41 of the Golden State Valkyries blocks a shot attempt by Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream during the first quarter in game two of the WNBA Finals at Chase Center on Octo.19, 2026 in San Francisco, Calif. (Ezra Shaw, Getty Images) Kiah Stokes #41 of the Golden State Valkyries blocks a shot attempt by Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream during the first quarter in game two of the WNBA Finals at Chase Center on Oct. 19, 2026 in San Francisco, Calif. (Ezra Shaw, Getty Images) Kiah Stokes #41 of the Golden State Valkyries blocks a shot attempt by Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream during the first quarter in game two of the WNBA Finals at Chase Center on Oct. 19, 2026 in San Francisco, Calif. (Ezra Shaw, Getty Images) Ballhalla t-shirts are seen on the seats before game two of the WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center on Oct. 19, 2026 in San Francisco, Calif. (Ezra Shaw, Getty Images) 1 / 7 WNBA Finals: Atlanta Dream and Valkyries clash for crown in Game 2 Veronica Burton #22 of the Golden State Valkyries reacts during the first quarter in game two of the WNBA Finals against the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center on Oct.19, 2026 in San Francisco, Calif. (Ezra Shaw, Getty Images) 1 / 7 WNBA Finals: Atlanta Dream and Valkyries clash for crown in Game 2 Veronica Burton #22 of the Golden State Valkyries reacts during the first quarter in game two of the WNBA Finals against the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center on Oct.19, 2026 in San Francisco, Calif. (Ezra Shaw, Getty Images) 2 / 7 WNBA Finals: Atlanta Dream and Valkyries clash for crown in Game 2 Veronica Burton #22 of the Golden State Valkyries dribbles against Jordin Canada #3 of the Atlanta Dream during the first quarter in game two of the WNBA Finals at Chase Center on Oct.19, 2026 in San Francisco, Calif. (Ezra Shaw, Getty Images) 3 / 7 WNBA Finals: Atlanta Dream and Valkyries clash for crown in Game 2 Kayla Thornton #5 of the Golden State Valkyries reacts with Cecilia Zandalasini #24 during the first quarter in game two of the WNBA Finals against the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center. (Ezra Shaw, Getty Images) 4 / 7 WNBA Finals: Atlanta Dream and Valkyries clash for crown in Game 2 Kiah Stokes #41 of the Golden State Valkyries blocks a shot attempt by Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream during the first quarter in game two of the WNBA Finals at Chase Center on Octo.19, 2026 in San Francisco, Calif. (Ezra Shaw, Getty Images) 5 / 7 WNBA Finals: Atlanta Dream and Valkyries clash for crown in Game 2 Kiah Stokes #41 of the Golden State Valkyries blocks a shot attempt by Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream during the first quarter in game two of the WNBA Finals at Chase Center on Oct. 19, 2026 in San Francisco, Calif. (Ezra Shaw, Getty Images) 6 / 7 WNBA Finals: Atlanta Dream and Valkyries clash for crown in Game 2 Kiah Stokes #41 of the Golden State Valkyries blocks a shot attempt by Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream during the first quarter in game two of the WNBA Finals at Chase Center on Oct. 19, 2026 in San Francisco, Calif. (Ezra Shaw, Getty Images) 7 / 7 WNBA Finals: Atlanta Dream and Valkyries clash for crown in Game 2 Ballhalla t-shirts are seen on the seats before game two of the WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center on Oct. 19, 2026 in San Francisco, Calif. (Ezra Shaw, Getty Images) Kanter Freedom mentioned Angel Reese , who helped the Dream even the WNBA Finals best-of-seven series 1-1 on Monday with a double-double.
"My favorite diva has unfortunately blocked me on social media," Kanter Freedom said. "But that won't stop me from showing my appreciation for the one and only @Reese10Angel ! I can't wait to take some notes on how to finish a layup after grabbing a rebound.
"I'm excited to support all the hardworking women in the WNBA and scout the competition before I dominate the league next year, unless they change the rules!"
Kanter Freedom and former NBA player Royce White, who also declared earlier this year that he identified as a woman, are not eligible to enter the WNBA draft , a person with direct knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports on Monday, Aug. 24. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. The person said the league is not going to "give oxygen to efforts designed to mock the league or use this topic to demean or marginalize others."
Kanter Freedom attended a Chicago Sky game on Sunday, Aug. 23, in a T-shirt that said: "WOMAN noun. adult human female." After getting into a shouting match with Sky guard Natasha Cloud, he was ejected and banned from the Sky's Wintrust Arena. He has subsequently filed a lawsuit against the Chicago Sky saying his First Amendment rights were violated when he was "wrongfully ejected" from the Aug. 23 game in Chicago.
The debate around eligibility began this season when Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham said young girls playing sports "shouldn't have to go against biological men."
A transgender woman has never played in the WNBA, but the league has become a lightning rod for the topic after comments made by Cunningham were published in an ESPN story on July 21 .
Cunningham's comments on transgender athlete participation and the ensuing conversation came after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld states' right to ban transgender girls and women from participation in women's sports .Legislation passed in 27 states barring transgender girls and women from participating in women's sports is aimed at a small portion of the population – 1% of people aged 13 and over in the U.S. identify as transgender, according to a 2025 study by the Williams Institute at UCLA Law.
The Human Rights Campaign reported in 2023 that 19% of transgender youth nationwide were playing sports, including fewer than 1,300 who played sports in school.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Enes Kanter Freedom plans to attend WNBA Finals Game 3 in Atlanta
Source: Sports
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